Sewing machine table



May 4, 1954 K. PERKINS SEWING MACHINE TABLE I s Sheets-Shwat 1 Filed April 5, 1952 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Ti? m.

Kenneth Perkins WITNESS= Q/M'Qw 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY K. PERKINS SEWING MACHINE TABLE May 4, 1954 Filed ApriI. 5, 1952 n NH w I W Q Amt a W n m w m m m I v IIIIIIIII. HII.IIIIIIIIIIIII.IIIIIII.II.HHHIHIIIIIIIIIIIHH H H H H HI II I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I IIIIII.IIIIHHHHHHIIHHHIHHHWHHIIIQ T f M W May 4, 1954 K. PERKINS 2,677,532

SEWING MACHINE TABLE Filed April 5, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet s IN V EN TOR. Kennei/I/ Perkins WITNESS BY ATTORNEY Patented May 4, 1954 UNITED STAT r'rsm OFFICE SEWING MACHINE TABLE Application April 5, 1952, Serial No. 280,769-

1 5 Claims.

The present invention relates to tables and has for an object to provide an improved sewing machine table.

In particular it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved table that is designed to be used with a commercial type sewing machine which is less expensive than the presen used wooden tables and yet is more durable, and which can be interchangeably used with a plurality of different machines.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sewing machine table that can be readily knocked-down for storage or shipment and reassembled for use.

Another object. of the present invention is to form a lightweight table that will serve as an equivalent of the present. day wooden tables.

Having in mind these and other objects that will be evident from an understanding of this disclosure, a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is hereinafter set forth in such detail as to enable those skilled in the art to readily understand the unction, operation, con struction and advantages of it, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a table constructed in. accordance with the principles of no invention having a sewing machine mounted thereupon, with portions of the table broken away.

2 is a top plan View of the table illustrated in Fig. 1, shown per se.

Elg. 3 is a sectional view on a slightly reduce-:1

scale taken substantially along the line 3-3 of i Fig. 2.

l is a sectional View on. enlarged taken substantially on the line -'l-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the machine supporting insert shown per se.

With reference to the drawings, the table illustrated includes a top I formed of a molded plastic It has been found that a low pressure polyesther resin such as allyl-diglycol-carbonate reinforced with fibre glass is particularly suited for this purpose because of its strength l gidity and also because of its hard surface which not only wears very well but is also resistant to damage such as marring and chipping occasioned by dropping objects thereon such as scissors.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the table top I is formed with an integral flange 2 depending fromv the periphery thereof and is formed approximately three-sixteenths 2. (1%) of a inch thick. The top could be made sufiiciently strong and rigid in itself, when formed of the above mentioned composition, to serve the intended purpose or could also be formed with reinforcing ribs molded integrally to the under side thereof. However, to avoid the use of an excessive amount of the plastic. material to reduce the over-all costs and to render the top sufiiciently strong and rigid to support a sewing machine in operation, the present top is provided with a reinforcing frame formed of wood, or an expanded or foamed plastic, either cellulose or resin plastic.

The illustrated reinforcing frame is formed of wood and consists of a. front and a rear longitudinal brace 3 and s respectively, which underlie the front and rear edge of the. top immediately adjacent the flange 2, and a left, an intermediate and right transverse brace 51, 6 and respectively, the braces 5 and l of which underlie the left and right sides of top I immediately adjacent. the flange- 2 as seen in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, each of the transverse braces 5, 8 and l are provided with rabbeted edges at their front and rear portions respectively, and the longitudinal braces are provided with corresponding grooves. or rabbets at the connecting points so that the upper and lower faces of all the brace will lie in substantially the same planes. braces are secured together by screws 8. The top I is supported by four legs 9 arranged substantiall below the connecting points. of the longitudinal braces 3 and ii and the transverse braces 5: and l. The legs 9, which are U-shaped memhere, are secured as by welding to U-shaped channel. members ill, the. bases of which abut against the under side of the transverse braces i and. l. The structure is held in assembled condition, bybolts ii cooperating with nuts 52, which bolts pass through the channel members it, the top I and the adjacent, portionof the braces. The heads of the bolts l lare countersunk within the table top I as seen in Fig. 4 so that the top i will. present a smooth unobstructed worksurface.

From an understanding of the above described construction, it will be seen that the table can he formed in three distinctelements, i. e., the top, the reinforcing frame and the legs secured to the channel members. These elements are all substantially planar and can be readily packaged for shipment or storage. When it is desired to use the table, it can be. assembled merely by inserting the bolts l i through the holes formed in each of the elements and tightening the nuts l2 thereon. Thus the. table, may be readily knocked The 3 down and reassembled with a minimum of effort.

It should also be noted that the table is relatively light in weight and inexpensive in cost compared to the tables which are presently used, and also provides a more satisfactory work surface. For sewing machine tables, it is necessary to employ a material with good wearing properties which would not be readily damaged or marred by objects falling or dropped thereon such as scissors, etc. since any imperfections in the work surface would tend to catch and damage the goods being sewed. For this use, it has been generally accepted that hardwoods were the best material available that were economically feasible even though relatively heavy and expensive. The present table provides an improved work surface over a hardwood table in that it is less likely to be dented, scratched or marred by objects dropped thereon, it provides a better wearing surface, is lighter in weight and thus more easily handled, and is less expensive because it employs relatively cheap materials that can be readily molded in a mass production manner. In addition, the dull finish of the present plastic top is much more suitable than the glossy finish of a wood top that is covered by a material such as a varnish or shellac, since it greatly reduces glare.

Formed in the top I adjacent the right forward portion thereof, see Fig. 2, is a rectangular aperture 53 adapted to receive an insert 14, illustrated per se in Fig. 5. The insert is which is provided with integral depending reinforcing ribs !5 is formed of a molded plastic material which may be the same as that of the top 1, with or without reinforcing glass fibre, or preferably, it is formed of a cheaper commercial plastic such as an impact grade thermosetting plastic, for example, a phenolic condensation product reinforced with a cotton flock or other long fibre filler. As seen in Fig. 3 the insert it is supported on a horizontal ledge i6 which is carried by a vertical flange ll depending from the top I about the periphery of the insert re ceiving aperture 53. Formed about the periphcry of the insert i4 is an outer depending flange it and an inner depending flange I9. The flange E3 is adapted to rest upon the ledge 16 and thus support the insert, and is so dimensioned that the upper surface of the insert will lie in sub stantially the plane of the upper surface of the top 5 when in operative position. The inner depending flange I9 is made longer than the flange 3 so that it will extend downwardly past the ledge 58, and is spaced inwardly from the flange I it a distance so dimensioned that the outer face thereof will cooperate with the inner edge of the ledge i5 to properly position the insert within the aperture l3 and to secure it against any sliding movements.

Formed substantially centrally of the insert it is a rectangular aperture 20 adapted to receive a sewing machine 2| having a bed portion Fig. l. The bed of the machine is pivoted to the insert H5 in the usual manner by means of conventional pivots (not shown) that are fitted flush in suitable recesses 23 formed in the insert and are secured therein by screws or the like threaded into bores 24 which, if desired, may include suitable internally threaded metallic inserts to provide sufficient thread strength. A ledge 25 is carried by a flange 26 depending from the insert I l about the periphery of the aperture 23, which ledge 25 is enlarged as at 21 adjacent the corners thereof to form supports upon which suitable surfaces (not shown) of the bed of the machine 2| are adapted to rest. Thus, in the usual manner, the sewing machine is pivotally supported upon the table with the upper or work surface of the bed 22 substantially in the plane of the insert M and top I. In order to gain access to the bed mechanism of the machine, it may readily be tilted backwards on its pivots.

A suitable aperture 28 is formed in the insert M, top I and brace 3 to provide a pathway for a belt (not shown) that is adapted to drive the machine 2| from a transmitter (not shown) located beneath the table in the usual manner and secured thereto as by bolts 29, see Fig. '2, or other fastening means which pass through holes formed through the brace '4 and the top I. The transmitter fastening means 29 also aids in securing the top I to the brace 4. Apertures 36 formed in suitable bosses adjacent the outer edge of the insert M are adapted to receive screws to secure any suitable latch means (not shown) to the insert, which latches can be swung outwardly to underlie the top I and thus secure the insert to the top l in the proper position. Other latches (not shown) can be fixed to the insert M by means of bolts, etc. which are received in apertures 3!, which latches can be used to overlie the bed of the machine 2! and thus secure the same to the insert. All the apertures 29, 36 and 31 are preferably provided with internally threaded metallic liners. Further suitable through apertures 32 are formed in the insert M to accommodate, for example, an arm of a presser-lifter mechanism, the wiring for a sewing light, etc. (both not shown). None of the above elements have been included in the pres-- ent disclosure since they form no critical limitations of the invention, and may be of any conventional forms which in themselves are old and well known. It will be understood that the apertures are provided in a suitable number and are so dimensioned and located to accommodate the specific machine used with the table together with the desired accessories.

The table constructed in accordance with the present invention is readily adapted to be used interchangeably with a plurality of sewing machines. A plurality of inserts M are intended to be provided, each having the same external contour and varying only in that they are designed to accommodate specific machines within the aperture 29, and each being intended to remain continually associated with its specific Thus, because of interchangeability of the inserts and the associated machines with respect to the top I, the machines can be readily changed to suit the particular sewing operation that is to be performed. The design of the insert i4 and its manner of cooperating with the aperture [3 in the top I greatly facilitates the desired interchangeability.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred einbodiment of my invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation thereof. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of my invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is:

1. A table for a sewing machine comprising a top formed of plastic material and provided with a sewing machine receiving aperture, a reinforcing frame member comprising braces underlying the top, legs for supporting said top, members underlying some of said braces, said legs being arranged in pairs and each pair thereof being secured to one of said members, and connecting means for simultaneously securing said members, the respective adjacent brace and the top into a unitary structure.

2. A table for a sewing machine comprising a top formed of rigid plastic material and provided with a sewing machine receiving aperture, an integral flange depending from the periphery of said top, a reinforcing frame for said top comprising braces underlying the edge thereof adjacent said depending flange, and legs for supporting said top secured to some of said braces.

3. A table for a sewing machine comprising a top molded from a rigid plastic material and provided'with an insert receiving aperture, an insert supporting ledge integral with said top about the periphery of said aperture, and an insert molded of plastic material and provided with a sewing machine receiving aperture, said insert being formed with integral depending reinforcing ribs and being adapted to rest upon said insert supporting ledge.

4. A table for a sewing machine comprising a top formed of a rigid plastic material and provided with an insert receiving aperture, an insert supporting ledge integral with said top about the periphery of said aperture, an insert formed of plastic material and provided with a sewing machine receiving aperture, an integral flange depending from the periphery of said insert and adapted to rest upon said ledge and thereby to support said insert upon said ledge, and a second integral flange depending from said insert spaced from and being longer than said first flange 6 and adapted to abut against the edge of said ledge thereby to prevent sliding movement of said insert on said ledge, and legs for supporting said top.

5. A table for a sewing machine comprising a top formed of a rigid plastic material and provided with an insert receiving aperture, a reinforcing frame member comprising braces underlying the top, legs for supporting said top, members underlying some of said braces, said legs being arranged in pairs and each pair thereof being secured to one of said members, connecting means for simultaneously securing said members, the respective adjacent brace and the top into a unitary structure, an insert supporting ledge integral with said top about the periphery of said aperture, and an insert formed of plastic material and provided with a sewing machine receiving aperture, an integral flange depending from the periphery of said insert and adapted to rest upon said ledge and thereby to support said insert upon said ledge, and a second integral flange depending from said insert spaced from and being longer than said first flange and adapted to abut against the edge of said ledge thereby to prevent sliding movement of said insert on said ledge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 378,636 Wertheim Feb. 28, 1888 591,474 Hull Oct. 12, 1897 867,040 Henderson Sept. 24, 1907 2,419,064 Fite et al Apr. 15, 1947 2,477,433 Webb July 26, 1949 2,483,106 Santley et a1 Sept. 27, 1949 

